Antique streetcar in blurred motion

Transportation

  • Overview
  • Who To Contact
  • Representative Matters
  • Recent Developments

The Aird & Berlis Transportation Group is a national leader in transportation law, supporting clients across Canada with regulatory challenges, complex transactions, dispute resolution and strategic growth initiatives.

Transportation is a cornerstone of global commerce, and Canada’s position makes it a critical hub for logistics and trade. As the sector evolves in response to innovation, regulation and market forces – including tariffs – companies face growing pressure to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability. Whether advising on a local shipment of goods or a complex international supply chain, we help clients address operational, commercial and regulatory risks across the full spectrum of transportation and logistics operations.

Our Transportation Group serves a diverse portfolio of transportation and logistics companies, many of whom we have worked with for decades. Our team is consistently ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Best Lawyers in Canada for excellence in the field. Several of our members have led the Canadian Transport Lawyers Association, reflecting our deep-rooted leadership and influence in shaping transportation law across Canada.

We advise on the legal and operational challenges facing the sector, including customs enforcement, safety regulation, infrastructure development and labour matters. We also handle critical matters such as cargo loss, collisions, port operations and personal injury claims. Our team is at the forefront of supporting clients with emissions reduction, electrification and fleet modernization initiatives. Whether managing compliance or advising on major transactions, we empower clients to identify and address legal risks so they can focus on growth and innovation.

We have extensive expertise in advising on Canadian and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, reorganizations and financings, including advising on the acquisition and disposition of Canadian transportation subsidiaries of U.S. or foreign parent entities.

Our group works closely with colleagues across key practice areas, including Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment, Labour & Employment, Projects & Infrastructure, Real Estate, Tax and Workplace. We deliver co-ordinated and practical advice tailored to the complexities of the transportation industry. Our clients span the full spectrum of the sector, including air, rail, marine and road carriers; logistics providers; customs brokers; infrastructure investors; insurers; manufacturers; public transit authorities; and warehousing and distribution networks.

Our core services include:

  • Corporate & Commercial Transactions: Structuring and negotiating joint ventures, commercial operations and other business arrangements for transportation clients.
  • Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships: Advising on industry-specific M&A, divestitures and strategic alliances.
  • Cross-Border Trade & Regulatory Compliance: Supporting customs, cabotage, trade agreements and other regulatory matters, including the commercial and operational impacts of changing tariff regimes.
  • Financing & Capital Solutions: Handling debt and equity financings, public offerings, private equity, equipment leasing and asset-based lending.
  • Logistics & Supply Chain: Advising on carriage agreements, freight risk, distribution strategies, vendor contracts and procurement solutions.
  • Employment, Labour & Risk Management: Supporting workforce structuring, collective bargaining, insurance claims and crisis response.
  • Technology & Innovation: Guiding on autonomous vehicles, drones, ships and freight technologies.
  • Dispute Resolution: Representing clients in litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings.

With a national reach and the ability to respond quickly to incidents and disputes across jurisdictions, Aird & Berlis supports transportation clients in meeting their operational goals while preparing for what’s ahead. We provide the clear legal insight required so our clients can move forward with confidence. 

Contacts

Group Members

Representative Matters

Recent Developments

Related Areas of Expertise